AAMA joins national coalition calling for a fresh start to health care reform

Representing its members' long-term business health, the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Schaumburg, Ill.,has joined Start Over!, a national coalition to defeat the health care reform legislation currently under review in the U.S. Senate, according to a Nov. 24 release.The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3962 on Nov. 7,with 220 ayes to 215 nays. On Nov. 21,the Senate's cloture on the motion received a 60-39 vote to move the debate to the entire Senate. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill within two months."We need health care legislation that focuses on reducing costs. We want Congress to start over and get health care reform right," said Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO, in the release. AAMA has provided its members with contact information to reach their legislators, including thanking those in Congress who voted "no."Per a recent statement by the National Association of Manufacturers, "The Medicaid provisions included in the bill would mean that states will be forced to make drastic budget cuts or increase taxes on businesses and individuals. In total, the legislation raises taxes by $493 billion."According to NAM, the new legislation would impact small businesses organized as "S" corporations with a new surtax on wage income, an excise tax on health insurance plans, and additional fees that would apply for other specific industries. "The bill also falls short in its lack of any meaningful limits on medical liability," said Walker, in the release. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act also limits the use of flexible spending accounts and includes a government-run "public option" that will further shift costs onto private insurance, raising costs for employers, the release states."We believe that the proposed legislation places heavier demands on both small business owners and large employers with increased regulations, taxes and associated costs," Walker said in the release. "Many of these companies already are struggling in the economic downturn. We expect this legislation would deeply and negatively affect our members' future, which directly affects their employees' health and welfare."To amplify its members' voices, AAMA has partnered with the following industry associations:• Associated Builders & Contractors• Associated General Contractors• Independent Electrical Contractors• International Foodservice Distributors Association• International Franchise Association• National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors• National Retail Federation• Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council• U.S. Chamber of Commerce"Together, we are urging Congress to remedy the current bill and pass health care reform legislation that truly reduces costs," Walker said in the release. "We need to alleviate the weight carried by private purchasers and employers that sponsor health insurance coverage for their employees, not add to their burden."